Apparatus and method for depositing cookie dough into a tray

ABSTRACT

An apparatus utilizes an object holding technique for holding a tray or discrete object while depositing an extruded dough product onto the tray or discrete object. Preferably, a conveyor transports the tray or discrete object for receiving extruded dough products. A subframe preferably moves the tray or object, by way of deflecting the conveyor, to a position with respect to a dough extruder such that dough products may be placed on the tray or object. In an embodiment, a cutoff blade may be utilized to portion the dough products. Preferably, the operation of the conveyor, subframe, extruder, and cutoff blade are controlled by a control system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to equipment that is suitable forportioning and placing food products, such as for portioning and placingcookie products, and methods of portioning and placing such cookieproducts. In particular, the present invention is directed to such aportioning and placing apparatus and method of portioning and placingwhere a cookie product can be portioned and placed directly into a trayor similar object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer food products that are simple and easy to prepare are desirableto consumers. With respect to ease of preparation, consumers enjoy foodproducts that can be stored for long periods of time, e.g., byrefrigeration or freezing. Also, products that can be quickly cooked andconsumed are attractive to consumers. To this end, food products thatare sold in a form for quick and easy preparation are highly desirable.

Conventional frozen cookie products may be sold to small vendors andretail shops that desire the convenience and quality of frozen cookiedough to make fresh baked cookies at the store location. Generally,these frozen cookie products are sold to the commercial consumer in bulkform. Other consumers, such as household consumers, prefer the frozencookie products be packaged in generally smaller quantities and in aconvenient form.

Typically, cookie dough is mixed in large volume mixers and portioned onhigh-speed lines forming individual cookies which are frozen andpackaged to be baked at a later date. According to one known technique,cookie dough pieces are extruded from a die, cut to length, anddeposited in rows on conveyors or continuous sheets of paper in varyingnumbers depending on the size of the cookie. Generally, these sheets arecarried by conveyors and the cookies are subsequently frozen on thesheets, and the sheets are cut for packaging. Generally, for thecommercial consumer the frozen cookie dough pieces are packaged on thecut sheets as bulk product in cartons for sale to the customer. However,for the household consumer, it is desirable to package the frozen cookieproducts in smaller more convenient packages, such as on paperboard.Thus, an additional transfer step is required in order to get a quantityof cookie pieces on such trays and then in packages, which requiresadditional handling operations that may be done by hand or performed by.separate processing equipment.

One example of a machine used to manufacture cookie dough pieces isproduced by APV Baker, Inc. of Goldsboro, N.C., and is known as a wirecut machine. Generally this apparatus operates by forcing a continuoussupply of cookie dough downward through shaping dies by using aconventional food product depositor. A cutting wire or knife is passedbeneath each such die at repeated time intervals, thereby slicing off ashort cylindrical (or otherwise-shaped) segment of the cookie dough,representing an individual cookie. As cookie dough is extruded from adie, paper of indefinite length is fed onto a conveyor belt that passesbeneath the die. The belt is raised close to the die to allow the cookiedough to contact the paper and the height of the slug of dough isestablished. It is about the time the belt begins to be lowered from thehighest position, that the wire or knife is passed through the dough tocut and form the individual cookie. The cutting wire is lowered andretracted below the advancing dough in preparation for the next cut. Thedie may be arranged to cut a single slug of dough for each wire stroke,typically used in a lab development process, or, have many openings in arow to produce numerous cookie pieces during each wire stroke.Generally, cams and lever arms are used in this type of equipment tocontrol the relative motion.

Usually, in this process, the conveyor belt runs continuously, such thata row of cookies is deposited in a new position adjacent to the previousrow with each wire stroke. Typically, the spacing is controlled by thespeed of the conveyor. After a number of rows have been deposited insuccession, additional speed may be temporarily added to the conveyorbelt to create a larger gap between the two adjacent rows of cookies. Inthis manner, an array of cookie dough pieces can be deposited on a sheetof paper. Because the paper is continuous, the weight of previouslydeposited cookies (downstream of the deposition) keeps the paper movingwith the conveyor both forward and in particular up and down. After thecookie dough contacts the paper to form the height of the slug of cookiedough, the conveyor is lowered. This lowering movement would tend tolift the paper off of the conveyor because the dough may be somewhatsticky without the weight of the previously deposited cookiesdownstream. In order to keep sufficient weight near the extrusion area,the paper is cut sufficiently downstream either before or after freezingthe cookies. If to be packaged for the commercial customer, the paper iscut in proportion to a package design into which it will be placed. Forthe household or small-scale customer, the cookies are typicallypackaged into trays or similar cartons individually and as a separateprocess.

A problem of the above-described equipment and process for forming andpackaging frozen cookie dough products is that a separate processingstep must be used to package cookies in a tray or carton. That is,cookies must be removed from the sheet of paper or the paper must besevered such that cookies may be transferred to another storage orshipping media. As such, the resulting manufacturing process isinefficient and not cost effective to the end consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus forportioning and placing one or more dough products, such as cookie dough,directly into a tray or other object that can be individually loaded,handled, and transported through the apparatus, thereby eliminating aneed to further transfer the dough pieces or to further manipulate (i.e.cut) the material onto which the dough pieces are deposited. Inaccordance with the present invention, dough product pieces can bedeposited directly onto the object that will be incorporated within apackage design without otherwise modifying the object. In particular,the present invention is preferably directed to batch processing methodsand apparatus whereby a complete row of cookie dough slugs may besimultaneously placed into a plurality of trays. More preferably, aswill be described in the preferred embodiment below, trays for receivingcookie dough slugs are carried on a conveyor system and are positionedbeneath a cookie dough depositing device. The trays are raised tocontact the cookie dough and thereby form the height of a cookie doughslug. As the trays are lowered a blade or wire passes through theextruding stream of cookie dough thereby creating individual cookiedough slugs.

The present invention is directed to techniques of placing cookie doughslugs directly into a tray where the tray's ability to move up and downand forward with a conveyor is improved in contrast to the need to use acontinuous sheet of material as described above in the Backgroundsection. Specifically, a system is utilized to securely hold the tray inplace while the tray is being lowered and cut off of the cookie doughslugs is taking place. Such resistance to tray pull away leads to theability to portion and deposit cookie dough slugs directly into smalland light trays. Furthermore, efficient and high-speed batch processingmay be accomplished.

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for depositing anextruded dough product onto a tray or discrete object is provided.Preferably, a driven conveyor, operatively supported on a support frame,is utilized for transporting the trays or objects along the conveyor ina machine direction that corresponds with a conveyor path. Preferably,the conveyor is driven by an index drive device that indexes theconveyor by predetermined amounts with rests in between subsequent driveactions.

In another aspect of the present invention, a driven extruder ispreferably supported in a position along the conveyor path for extrudinga dough product toward the conveyor. The apparatus preferably includes adriven cutoff mechanism for slicing the extruded dough product after apredetermined length of dough product is extruded. Preferably, a drivensubframe is supported from the support frame such that it may moveindependently from the subframe and is positioned along the conveyorpath. Preferably, the subframe may move the tray or object carried bythe conveyor to a position with respect to the extruder for receivingextruded dough product from the extruder. Preferably, the apparatusfurther comprises a control system to move the subframe to deflect aportion of the conveyor based upon a desired position of the discreteobject with respect to the extruder.

In another aspect of the present invention, the subframe furtherincludes an object holding means for creating a positive holding forcefor holding the tray or object against the conveyor while the doughproducts are being placed on the tray or object. Preferably, the objectholding means comprises a pressure differential means comprising avacuum chamber supported by the subframe and creating a plenumpositioned adjacent to the conveyor. Preferably, the plenum has at leastone opening by which vacuum pressure differential can be applied to asurface of the discrete object.

A method in accordance with the present invention is characterized byincluding the steps of conveying a discrete object along a conveyor pathby way of a driven conveyor; extruding dough product toward the conveyorfrom a position along the conveyor path from an driven extruder; anddeflecting at least a conveyor portion from a normal transport positionto a position closer to the extruder while the discrete object ispositioned at least partially for receiving dough product from theextruder and moving the conveyor portion back to its normal transportposition while providing a positive holding force acting to urge thediscrete object toward the conveyor.

A method in accordance with the present invention is also preferablycharacterized by providing a driven subframe for selectively deflectingthe conveyor portion toward the extruder and for moving the conveyorportion back to its normal transport position. The step of providing apositive holding force may be done by applying a vacuum pressuredifferential to a surface of the discrete object. Preferably, the stepof conveying the discrete object is done as a series of indexedmovements with rests in between wherein extruded dough is deposited ontothe discrete object. The method may also comprise a step of cutting thedough product after a predetermined amount of dough product has beenextruded and depositing a dough product slug onto a surface of thediscrete object. Preferably, the discrete object is a tray. A pluralityof discrete objects or trays may be conveyed in sequence along a singleconveyor path or along a plurality of substantially parallel conveyorpaths for receiving dough product from a multi-head extruder at the sametime.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals are used to identify the same or similarparts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the inventionand together with the description of the preferred embodiments, serve toexplain the principles of the invention. A brief description of thedrawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cookie dough processing system inaccordance with the present invention showing a conveyor system formoving trays for receiving cookie dough slugs through the processingsystem, a subframe for lifting the trays to a dough extruder, and a cutoff device for portioning the cookie dough into individual cookie doughslugs;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the cookie dough processing system ofFIG. 1 showing in particular a three lane conveyor system, eachincluding a plenum having openings for drawing air through the plenumand thereby creating a vacuum to secure the trays to the conveyorsystem;

FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the cookie dough processing system ofFIG. 1 taken in cross-section and showing a multilane cookie doughextruder above a cut off blade for forming the individual cookie doughslugs and the subframe;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section view of a portion of the subframe ofFIG. 3, showing in particular a plenum and the openings and showing atray with cookie dough slugs held against the conveyor;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a frame for supporting a cutoff blade or wire inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a conveyor system in accordance with thepresent invention showing the conveyor belt in a down position of thesubframe;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the conveyor system in accordance with thepresent invention showing the conveyor belt in an up position of thesubframe;

FIGS. 8-13 illustrate schematically the motions of the trays and thecutoff blade with respect to the cookie dough extruder for a typicalcycle used for placing cookie dough slugs in a tray;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the processing system of FIG. 1showing in particular a motion control system and the correspondingdrive devices; and

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of the motion cycles for theconveyor, subframe, cutoff blade and dough extrusion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodimentsare chosen and described so that others skilled in the art mayappreciate and understand the principles and practices of the presentinvention.

With reference to the Figures, wherein like components are labeled withlike numerals throughout the several Figures, a cookie dough processingsystem 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The processing system 10 preferablyincludes a computerized motion control system 11, illustratedschematically in FIG. 14, for controlling the movements of theprocessing system 10 as will be described in detail below.

The processing system 10 preferably includes a multi-lane conveyorsystem 12, operatively supported on a frame support structure 14, forcarrying a series of (or any discrete objects for receiving doughproducts in accordance with the present invention) through theprocessing system 10 in a processing direction indicated by arrow A. Asillustrated throughout the Figures, the discrete objects that receivedough product can comprise trays 16, such as comprised of paperboardcoated for easy release. However, the present invention is particularlyapplicable to any discrete object have a surface onto which doughproduct can be deposit. By discrete, it is meant having a definite andindividual nature, as compared to indefinite length webs or materialsintended to be divided from one another downstream. Such a discreteobject can be any defined size of paper, sheet or material that can beindividually conveyed through the apparatus 10. Preferably, the conveyorsystem 12 is used to advance a discrete object such as a tray 16 or aplurality of trays 16 in the process direction indicated by arrow A. Forthe sake of the further description, such discrete objects will bereferred to as trays 16 with the understanding that any such discreteobject may be utilized.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the conveyor system 12 preferably has multiplelanes 18 for simultaneously carrying multiple trays 16. It is understoodthat the conveyor system 12, in accordance with present invention, mayconsist of a single lane 18 or may have any number of lanes 18 such thatthe functional aspects of the present invention are accomplished. Theillustrated conveyor system 12 comprises three lanes 18. Each lane 18preferably has a first conveyor belt 20 and a second conveyor belt 22.Preferably, as described below, the belts 20 and 22 are timing belts.That is, the belts 20 and 22 may be positively engaged to a drivesprocket so that no slippage occurs and the belts 20 and 22 may besynchronized together and moved in a repeatable and controllable manner.Preferably the belts 20 and 22 are parallel and are spaced apart by apredetermined distance such that a tray 16 may be operatively supportedthereon as is shown in FIG. 2. That is, the spacing of the belts 20 and22 is determined by the particular tray 16 that is used. The belts 20and 22 may instead be any such transport mechanism, such as includingmoving belts, chains, or the like, or other stationary systems thatdrive objects by other means, such at as, air or vibration, etc.

Further referring to FIG. 1, the belts 20 and 22 preferably includeflights 24 for pushing the tray 16 in the process direction A as thebelts 20 and 22 are moved. It is known than the flights 24 may be anysuch feature such that the functional aspects of the present inventionare accomplished. That is, the flights 24 may be a feature of the belts20 and 22 or the flights 24 may be a separate feature that many beattached to the belts 20 and 22. The flights 24 may be on both belts 20and 22 or may be on one or the other of the belts 20 and 22. It isfurther understood that any device or feature that functions to advancethe tray 16 in conjunction with the movements of the belts 20 and 22 inthe process direction A may be used. For example, the tray 16 may bedesigned as having a recessed region that may engage with a raisedregion provided on either belt 20 or 22 or both. As another alternative,the tray 16 may be designed with a raised region that may engage withany recessed region or hole as part of either belt 20 or 22 or both.

As shown in FIG. 1, the belts 20 and 22 are preferably driven by drivesprockets 26. Sprocket, as used throughout this Application, means anywheel that has the ability to engage a belt, chain, or hole, or the likeby using friction or a projection therefrom or the like, so as toprovide positive engagement without substantial slippage. Further, belt,as used throughout this Application, means any belt or chain or thelike, such as a timing belt for engaging to a sprocket and being movedthereby without substantial slipping.

In the preferred embodiment, the drive sprockets 26 are positioned atthe output side of the processing system 10. As is illustrated in FIG.2, the belts 20 and 22 also engage sprockets 28 at the side of theprocessing system that is opposite the drive sprocket 26 side.Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the drive sprockets 26 are attached to acommon drive shaft 30 and the sprockets 28 are attached to an idlershaft 32. The sprockets 26 and 28 may be attached to the shafts 30 and32 by any means such that the functional aspects of the presentinvention are accomplished. That is, the sprockets 26 and 28 may bepermanently attached to the shafts 30 and 32 or may be releasablyattached to the shafts 30 and 32 such that their both their linear androtary positions may be adjusted.

Referring to a single lane 18, the pair of drive sprockets 26 for thebelt 20 and 22 are preferably rotationally positioned on the shaft 30 soas to be synchronized in time with each other. Generally, this isimportant where both belts 20 and 22 include flights 24 that areintegral with the belts 20 and 22. That is, proper timing of thesprockets 26 should be realized where the flights 24 are permanentlypositioned on the belts 20 and 22. It is noted that, where only one ofthe belts 20 and 22 includes flights 24 the need for timing of thesprockets 26 for a single lane 18 is lessened. Also, the pair of drivesprockets 26 for a single lane 18 may then not have to be synchronizedwith respect to each other on the shaft 30. As above, the flights 24 maybe separately attached to the belts 20 and 22 so that the flights 24 canbe linearly aligned as is illustrated in FIG. 2 after the belts areoperatively supported in driving position.

For a multilane conveyor system such as the conveyor system illustratedin FIG. 2, it is preferable that all of the lanes 18 are timed togetherwith respect to each other. That is, all of the drive sprockets 26should be rotationally aligned with each other or all of the flights 24should be linearly aligned with each other in accordance with thefunctional goals of the present invention. That is, each tray 16 carriedby each lane 18 of a multilane system is preferably positioned at thesame position along the process direction A at the same time. As such, aplurality of trays 16 may simultaneously receive a row of cookie doughslugs 17 having a predetermined position in each tray 16. The sameapproach may be utilized with respect to the sprockets 28 as they areattached to the idler shaft 32 for both a single lane 18 and for amultilane conveyor system.

As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 30 can be rotatablysupported by a frame member 34 and a frame member 36. Likewise, theidler shaft 32 can be rotatably supported by a frame member 38 and aframe member 40. Preferably, the frame members 34, 36, 38, and 40include rotational bearings or the like (not shown) for supporting theshaft 30 and 32 and for providing rotational capability to the shaft 30and 32. It is known that, either shaft 30 or shaft 32, or both, mayinclude tensioning mechanisms (not shown) as are well known in the artfor removing slack from the conveyor belts and for providing the correctoperating tension.

The drive shaft 30 is preferably driven by a drive comprising a motor42. In a preferred embodiment, the motor 42 is functionally connected toand controlled by the motion control system 11 as is illustrated in FIG.14. Preferably, the motor 42 is capable of providing indexing motion.That is, the motor 42 preferably rotates the shaft 26 and therebyrotates the sprockets 24 such that the flights 26 of the belts 20 and 22are advanced to move the tray 16 in the process direction A by apredetermined distance. As described below, it is contemplated that themotor 41 may instead provide continuous rotational motion to advance thetray 16 in the processing direction A by a controlled distance. It isknown that the motor 43 may be any type of servo motor or the like, butit is preferable that such motor be precisely controllable, such as byusing conventional encoders or the like so that accurate distancecontrol can be achieved.

Referring to FIG. 2, the conveyor system 12 preferably includes a pairof guide plates 44 functionally defining each of the lanes 18. In apreferred embodiment, the guide plates 44 extend parallel to and alongthe outside edge of belt 20 and belt 22 of a lane 18 thereby defining aguide channel and path of conveyance that extends in the processdirection A. The guide plates 44 preferably extend as a continuousstructure along the entire lane 18 of the conveyor system 12. That is,the guide plates 44 extend from a position where a tray 16 is introducedto the conveyor system 12 and continue to a position where a tray 16 isremoved from the conveyor system 12. Alternatively, one or more guideportions can be arranged over only one or more portions of the lanes 18.

Preferably, the guide plates 44 are formed as a thin plate, for examplethe guide plates 44 may be formed from sheet metal or plastic, or anyother material such that the functional aspects of the present inventionare accomplished. The guide plates 44 may be utilized as multiple platesextending along a lane 18 as described above. In a preferred embodiment,the guide plates 44 are operatively attached by connecting structure(not shown) to a subframe 48 that is described in detail below.Preferably, the guide plates 44 extend above the surface of the belts 20and 22 by a predetermined amount that generally depends upon theparticular tray 16 that is used. That is, the guide plates 44 extendalong the belts 20 and 22 and extend above the surface of the belts 20and 22 such that a tray 16 is effectively restricted from movinglaterally while moving in the process direction A.

Preferably, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, the guide plates 44 eachinclude a lead-in feature 46 at the entry side of the conveyor system 12where the empty trays 16 may be introduced. Preferably, the lead-infeature 46 extends angularly away from the guide plate 44 to guide trays16 into the lanes 18. As shown in FIG. 2, lead-in features 46 of a pairof guide plates 44 of a lane 18 preferably provide a generally widerguide region for aligning trays 16 as they are introduced to theconveyor system 12. Proper positioning of the tray 16, both in theprocess direction A and in a lateral direction with respect to theprocess direction A, is especially important when the trays 16 arepositioned to be conveyed through the system 10 so as to receivemultiple rows of cookie dough slugs 17 that are positioned very near andadjacent to one another on the trays 16.

Referring to FIG. 1, the processing system 10 includes a subframe 48that may move in a direction that is generally up and down and is usedto raise and lower the belts 20 and 22 and thereby move the tray 16 in adirection generally perpendicular to the processing direction A. Suchmotion is preferably substantially linear of its entire motion, but itmay instead include rotary motion at one or more points. A system usedfor moving the subframe 48 up and down preferably includes a drive suchas motor 50 having a drive sprocket 52. In a preferred embodiment themotor 50 is functionally connected to and controlled by the motioncontrol system 11 as is shown in FIG. 14. That is, the motor 50 maypreferably provide for precise control over the motion of the subframe48 by moving sprocket 52 by controlled rotation thereof. It is knownthat the motor 50 may be any type of servo motor or the like, again,preferably with precise motion motoring and control.

Preferably, the drive sprocket 52 may accommodate multiple belts asdescribed below, such as be stacking sprockets or the like upon oneanother of the same or different sizes. The drive motor 50 may besupported by a frame support member 51 or any other frame member suchthat the functional aspects of the present invention are realized. Thedrive sprocket 52 may be connected to an upper sprocket 54 by a belt 56.The upper sprocket 54 is preferably connected to and supported by aframe support member 58 so as to be rotatable therefrom. That is, theupper sprocket 54 may be attached to a shaft (not shown) that isattached to the frame support member 58 so as to allow the sprocket 54to rotate. Further, it is known that any technique whereby the sprocket54 is operatively attached to any functional frame member 58 such thatit is rotatable may be used. The upper sprocket 54 may be connected toany frame member such that the functional aspects of the presentinvention are accomplished. Also, it is known that, any known ordeveloped tensioning device for tensioning and removing slack from belt56 may be utilized in combination with a sprocket 52 or the sprocket 54or both as is well known in the art.

Further referring to FIG. 1, the drive sprocket 52 is preferablyconnected to a lower sprocket 60 by a belt 62. Preferably, the drivesprocket 52 has the capability to drive multiple belts (e.g. by stackingsprockets of the same or different sizes). That is, the drive sprocket52 preferably drives both belts 56 and 62 simultaneously. The lowersprocket 60 may be rotatably supported by a support member 64 that isfurther connected to a frame support member 51. It is known that, thelower sprocket 60 may be connected to any frame support member and thatany bracket or device may be used such that the functional aspects ofthe present invention are realized. That is, the lower sprocket 60 maybe mounted in any manner such that it is rotatable. Preferably, thelower sprocket 60 also has the capability to utilize multiple belts.That is, the belt 62 and a further driven belt 68 are preferablyconnected to the lower sprocket 60. Preferably, the lower sprocket 60 isconnected to an upper sprocket 66 by the belt 68. The upper sprocket 66may be connected to and supported by the frame support member 58. Asabove, it is known that the upper sprocket 66 may be attached to anyframe support member 58 by any technique such that it is rotatabletherefrom. Further, any tensioning device either known or developed maybe used in combination with the sprocket 60 or the sprocket 66 or both.

Referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated subframe 48 includes frame members70 and 72. The subframe 48 further includes a horizontal frame member74. Preferably, the frame member 70 is attached to the belt 68 by usingbrackets 76 and 78 as is shown in FIG. 1. Further, the frame member 72is preferably attached to the belt 56 by using brackets 80 and 82.Referring to FIG. 3, the brackets 80 and 82 are illustrated with thebelt 56 removed. The brackets 76 and 78 and the brackets 80 and 82preferably are fixed with the frame members 70 and 72, respectively, andinclude mounting holes 84 for attachment to the belts 68 and 56,respectively, by using conventional fasteners or the like. It is knownthat any such fastener may be used such that the functional aspects ofthe present invention are realized. Further, it is known that anybracket may be used to connect the belt 56 and belt 68 to the framemember 72 and 70, respectively, such that the functional aspects of thepresent invention are realized. That is, any brackets, clamps, fixtures,or techniques, known or developed, for securing the belts 56 and 68 tothe frame members 72 and 70, respectively, may be used.

Referring to FIG. 1, the subframe 48 preferably also includes abalancing cylinder 86 for supporting and balancing the weight of thesubframe 48 and other attached components. Preferably, the balancingcylinder 86 is an air actuatable cylinder operatively connected with apressurized air source (not shown) and having an extendable shaft 88.The extendable shaft 88 is shown pivotably connected to a bracket 90fixed with frame member 72 at pivot point 92. Further, the opposite sideof the balancing cylinder 86 is pivotably connected to a bracket 94 atpivot point 96. Preferably, the bracket 94 is connected to frame member51 of the supporting frame structure 14. Brackets 94 may be connected toany frame member of the frame support structure 14 that is not moveablewith subframe 48.

In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, the air cylinder 86 ismounted at an angle such that the shaft 88 of the balancing cylinder 86urges the subframe 48 in both a generally upward direction against theforce of gravity and in a direction along the process direction Athereby urging the subframe 48 against the belts 56 and 68. As such, theweight of the subframe 48 is supported by the air cylinder 86 and thesubframe 48 is positively positioned against the belts 56 and 68 suchthat lateral movement is minimized. As a result, belts 56 and 58 caneasily cause back and forth movement of subframe 48 with minimizedinertial forces.

Referring to FIG. 1, the motion of the subframe 48 will be described.Preferably, an upward motion of the subframe 48 may be accomplished byrotating sprocket 52 with motor 50 in a clockwise direction as viewedfrom FIG. 1. The sprocket 60 also rotates in a clockwise directionthereby causing the subframe 48 to move upward under the motion of belts56 and 68. Likewise, a counterclockwise rotation of the sprocket 52 willcause the subframe 48 to move downward. Preferably, the weight of thesubframe 48 is balanced by the balancing cylinder 86 as described aboveand the belts 56 and 68 as attached to the subframe 48 generally arerequired only to displace the mass of the subframe 48. That is, thebalancing cylinder 86 provides a constant force urging against thesubframe 48 preferably overcoming the force of gravity of the subframe48. The belts 56 and 68 preferably provide a force to displace thesubframe 48 that is balanced with the force provided by the balancingcylinder 86. The balancing cylinder may otherwise provide a partialforce to support any portion of the weight of the subframe 48 and thatthe belts 56 and 68 may be required to lift a portion of the weight ofthe subframe 48.

It is also contemplated that other drive mechanisms including any drivedevice or mechanism may be utilized, either known or developed, to movethe subframe such that the functional aspects of the present inventionare realized. For example, the subframe 48 may utilize guide rods andbearings as are well known in the art and any lifting means such as anair cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or a linkage mechanism and motorarrangement. To provide substantially linear movement, a rack and piniondrive or scissor linkage could be used. For motion with rotary movement,a swing arm or four-bar linkage may be used.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the subframe 48 preferably includes a pairof upper rollers 98 and 100 for supporting belt 20 and a pair of upperrollers 102 and 104 for supporting belt 22 of each lane 18. Preferably,rollers 98 and 102 are freely rotatably supported by a shaft 106 androllers 100 and 104 are freely rotatably supported by a shaft 108.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 the shaft 108 preferably extends betweenflanges 110 and 112 of a frame support member 114 and is attached toflanges 110 and 112 using any conventional technique. Support member 114is operatively fixed with the subframe 48. Preferably, the shaft 106extends between flanges 118 and 120 that are also attached to the framesupport member 114. It is known that, any shaft and bearing arrangement,as is well known in the art, may be used.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the subframe 48 also includes a pair oflower rollers 122 and 124 for guiding belt 20. As shown in FIG. 3, theroller 124 is freely rotatably supported by a shaft 126 that furtherfreely rotatably supports a roller 128 for guiding belt 22. The shaft126 is connected between flanges 130 and 132 that are operatively fixedwith the subframe 48. The roller 122 is also freely rotatably supportedby a similar shaft (not shown) with a second roller (not shown) forguiding belt 22 that are mounted between flanges 134 that are attachedto the frame support member 70 of the subframe 48. As above, it is knownthat any shaft and bearing arrangement, as is well known in the art, maybe used such that the functional aspects of the present invention arerealized.

Referring to FIG. 1, the motion of a belt, specifically belt 20, as aresult of the upward and downward motion of the subframe 48 will bedescribed. It is noted that the motion of the single belt 20 ispreferably the same as the motion of the belt 22 and that belts 20 and22 of each lane 18 preferably move simultaneously and in synchronizationwith one another. As such, reference will only be made to thosecomponents associated with belt 20 in describing such belt motion withrespect to FIGS. 6 and 7 below. Preferably, the spaced pair of upperrollers 98 and 100 is spaced apart from the spaced pair of lower rollers122 and 124 so that belt 20 is maintained in tension. In a preferredembodiment, upper rollers 98 and 100 are spaced apart from lower rollers122 and 124 so that for a given length of belt 20, the upward anddownward movement of the subframe 48 can be accommodated withoutstretching belt 20. As illustrated, spacing the upper pair of rollers 90and 100 from the lower pair of rollers 122 and 124 at a distance greaterthan the diameter of at least one of the sprockets 26 and 28 providessuch a tensioning effect.

Referring to FIG. 6, a schematic view of the conveyor system 12 isillustrated. In FIG. 6, a tray 16 is shown schematically positioned onthe belt 20. Further, a cookie dough extrusion device 142 and a streamof cookie dough 144 (described below) are shown positioned above thetray 16. Also, the sprockets 28 and 26 having a centerline 202 passingthrough their centers are illustrated. Further, the upper rollers 98 and100, the lower rollers 122 and 124, and the belt 20 are illustrated in adown position of the subframe 48 in accordance with the presentinvention. That is, the upper portion of the belt 20 is in a normaltransport position that is preferably generally horizontal such that thetray 16 may easily pass beneath the extrusion device 142. Asillustrated, the lower rollers 122 and 124 are positioned at a distanceaway from the centerline 202 that is greater than the distance of theupper rollers 98 and 100 from the centerline 202. As such, the length ofthe belt 20 below the centerline 202 is greater than the length of thebelt 20 above the centerline 202.

Referring to FIG. 7, the schematic view of the conveyor system 12 ofFIG. 6 is illustrated; however, the upper rollers 98 and 100, the lowerrollers 122 and 124, and the belt 20 are illustrated in an up positionof the subframe 48 moved toward the extrusion device 142 and inaccordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the tray 16 is ina raised position such that it may receive a row of cookie dough slugs17. As illustrated in FIG. 7 the upper rollers 98 and 100 are positionedat a distance away from the centerline 202 that is greater than thedistance of the lower rollers 122 and 124 from the centerline 202. Assuch, the length of the belt 20 above the centerline 202 is greater thanthe length of the belt 20 below the centerline 202. That is, the extrabelt length that was below the centerline 202 in the down position ofFIG. 6 is now above the centerline 202 in the up position of FIG. 7. Asa result, the belt 20 may be moved up and down without being stretched.

As shown in FIG. 1 the subframe 48 preferably further includes a plenum136. Referring to FIG. 4, the plenum 136 is illustrated in a partialcross sectional view. Preferably the plenum 136 includes a chamber 137for maintaining a predetermined flow volume as described below. Theplenum 136 includes a port 138 for connecting to a vacuum generator orsystem (not shown). In FIG. 2, the plenum 136 is illustrated in topview. Preferably, the plenum 136 has a width permitting it to bepositioned between the belts 20 and 22 and has a length that extends apredetermined distance in the process direction A such that thefunctional aspects of the present invention are accomplished.Specifically, it is preferable that the plenum 136 be sufficiently longto enhance holding a tray 16 against drive belts 20 and 22 over thecourse of depositing one or more rows of dough slugs 17 into such a tray16 for a particular application.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the plenum preferably includes a plurality ofopenings 140 for allowing air to enter the chamber 137 of the plenum136. The openings 140 may be any arrangement of openings such that thetray 16 is held against the belts 20 and 22 in accordance with thepresent invention. For example, the openings 140 may be a single row ormultiple rows of openings, or may be a single opening having aperforated structure (such as a wire mesh or the like) incorporatedtherewith. Preferably the openings 140 have a size and shape such that apredetermined amount of flow volume may be realized in accordance withthe present invention. That is, a flow volume that may hold a tray 16,or any other discrete or individual object for receiving dough, to thebelts 20 and 22 in accordance with the present invention is preferred.It is noted that a tray 16 may cover some of the openings 140 or maycover all of the openings 140.

It is otherwise contemplated that any technique, known or developed, maybe used to hold the tray 16 or any other receiving object in anoperatively secure manner in accordance with the present invention suchas mechanical, magnetic, or chemical means or combinations thereof. Forexample, air forced from above a tray 16 (that is, air flowing in thesame direction as the extruding stream of dough 144) may be utilized tocreate a force of differential pressure against a tray 16 thereby urgingthe tray 16 against the belts 20 and 22. Further, it is contemplatedthat a mechanical device may be used to hold a tray 16 against the belts20 and 22 such as a clamp or latch or the like including the use ofmagnetic materials and techniques. As a chemical means, a fluid havingadhesive properties to hold the tray 16 in place may be introduced tothe interface, such as through the openings 140. Preferably, however,the port 138 is attached to a vacuum pump or blower (not shown) or thelike such that air may flow through the openings 140 to create a vacuumpressure differential to enhance holding or urge the tray 16 toward thebelts 20 and 22. As such, the tray 16 may be securely held in apredetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the processing system 10 preferably includes anextrusion device 142 for extruding a continuous stream of dough product144. Preferably the extrusion device 142 includes a motor 143operatively connecting the motor 143 and the motion control system 11 asshown in FIG. 14. Alternatively, the dough product may be extruded in anon-continuous manner. Extrusion device 142 may have multiple heads, asshown, each head also possibly having any number of extrusion openings.

Preferably, the processing system 10 includes a cutoff device 146 forsevering the stream of extruded dough product 144 and thereby formingindividual slugs of cookie dough 17. Preferably, the cutoff device 146includes a cutoff blade or wire 148. The blade or wire can be anyconventional or developed blade or wire that may be sharp, serrated,heated, etc. to cut the dough extrusion. As illustrated in FIG. 5, thecutoff blade 148 may extend between a first support member 150 and asecond support member 152 of a frame 154. The frame 154 may include atensioning mechanism or device for maintaining the cutoff blade or wire148 under tension. As shown in FIG. 3, the entire wire 148 canpreferably cut all extrusions of dough by the multiple heads.

Preferably, the support member 150 includes a slot 151 for providingadjustment to the position of the frame 154 as described below. That is,the position of the cutoff blade 148 may be adjusted relative to theextrusion head 142. The frame 154 preferably includes cross supportmembers 156 and 158. As is illustrated in FIG. 1 the frame 154 may beattached to a linkage member 160. The linkage member 160 preferablyincludes flanges 162 and 164 for connecting the frame 154 to the linkagemember 160. As shown in FIG. 1, a bolt 166 preferably passes throughholes (not shown) in the flanges 162 and 164 and passes through the slot151 (as shown in FIG. 5) of the frame member 150 of the frame 154adjustably connecting linkage member 160 to the frame 154. Any techniquefor attaching the frame 154 to the linkage 160 is contemplated, and itis preferable that the technique provide an adjustable connection.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the cutoff device 146 further includes apivotable elbow link 168 that is rotatably supported to the framesupport structure 14 by a frame support member 170 at pivot 171. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the elbow link 168 includes a first arm portion172 and a second arm portion 174 that are connected together by a pivotportion 175. The pivot portion 175 is pivotal about point 171 so thatthe first and second arm portions 172 and 174 move together about pivotpoint 171. Preferably, the second arm 174 is further pivotably connectedto a horizontal link 176 at pivot point 178. The horizontal link 176 isfurther connected to a drive device 180 as described below. In apreferred embodiment the drive 180 is functionally connected to andcontrolled by the motion control system 11. The drive 180 may comprise aservo motor or the like and include a drive wheel 182 that isrotationally driven by the motor about the center point 184 of the drivewheel 182. As above, the ability to accurately monitor and control suchmotion is preferred as easily obtainable with conventional technology.Preferably, the linkage 176 is connected to the drive wheel 182 at apivot point 186 that is offset from the center point 184 of the drivewheel 182. As such, rotation of the drive wheel 182 causes the linkage176 to move back and forth in a generally horizontal direction. Thepivot connections throughout these links can comprise any conventionalmanner.

Further referring to FIG. 1, the linkage 160 may also be pivotablyconnected to the frame support member 170 at pivot point 171. However,elbow link 168 and linkage 160 are rotatably supported to beindependently moveable about pivot point 171. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the linkage 170 includes a sprocket 173 that is connected to a drivedevice, such as a motor 196 by a belt 197. In a preferred embodiment themotor 196 is functionally connected for accurate monitoring and controlby the motion control system. Preferably, the motor 196 rotationallydrives a sprocket 198 and is supported by frame 14, such as a framemember 200.

Preferably, the frame support member 170 includes a stationary shaft(not shown) operatively connected thereto that functions as pivot point171. In a preferred embodiment, the elbow link 168 and the linkage 160include rotational bearings or similar means as is well known in the artto provide support and rotation about the aforementioned stationaryshaft attached to frame member 170.

Preferably, elbow link 168 and linkage 160 may pivot about pivot point171 independently from each other.

As described above, and referring to FIG. 1, the linkage 160 isfunctionally attached to the frame 154. The linkage 160 is furtherpivotably connected to a linkage member 188 at pivot point 190 asillustrated. The pivot point 190 may also be any conventional design.The linkage 188 is further connected, at an opposite end, to a linearslider 192 that slides along the first arm portion 172 of the elbow link168. Preferably, the linear slider 192 includes a flange 194 forconnecting to the linkage 188 at pivot point 196 as shown. In apreferred embodiment, the first arm portion 172 is a linear shaft forreceiving a linear bearing as is well known in the art. The slider 192may include linear bearings (not shown) for slidably moving along thehorizontal arm 172. Any arrangement can be utilized for permittingguided movement of the end of link 188 along the first arm portion 172.

Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred motion capability of the cutoffdevice 146 will be described. In a preferred embodiment, the motor 196may controllably rotate sprocket 198 and as a result rotate sprocket 173via belt 197. The rotation of sprocket 173 causes linkage 160 to pivotabout pivot point 171. As linkage 160 pivots about pivot point 171,linkage 188 may pivot about pivot point 190 and slider 192 may slidealong horizontal arm 172. The resulting motion of the cutoff blade 148may be substantially horizontal. That is, the length of linkage 160 maybe such that a substantially horizontal movement of the cutoff blade 148may be obtained over a predetermined distance such as required to severthe extruded stream of cookie dough 144.

Further referring to FIG. 1, the motor 180 may rotate the wheel 182 suchthat the link 176 moves in a substantially horizontal manner.Preferably, as the linkage 176 is moved in a substantially horizontaldirection, the second arm portion 174 of the elbow link 168 is displacedas the elbow link 168 pivots about pivot point 171. The first armportion 172 thus also rotates about pivot point 171, which movement istranslated through slider 192 to link 188. This action may cause thecutoff blade 148 to move in a substantially vertical direction while thelinkage 160 remains stationary with respect to elbow link 168. That is,sprocket 198 may be in a freely rotatable state or may be rotated by themotion control system 11 thereby allowing both the elbow link 168 andthe link 160 to pivot about pivot point 171 together.

In a preferred embodiment, the substantially horizontal motion and thesubstantially vertical motion of the cutoff blade 148 are utilized incombination and to provide a predetermined path for the cutoff blade148. That is, by utilizing the motions of the cutoff device 146described above, separately or in combination thereof, a wide range ofmotion profiles for the path of the cutoff blade 148 may beaccomplished. Again, such movements by controlled by the control system11.

A preferred method of placing rows of cookie dough slugs 17 into trays16 will now be described. Several trays 16, preferably three trays 16,are placed on the conveyor system 12 across the three lanes 18 in aposition just prior to the lead-in feature 46 of the guide plates 44 andsuch that the flights 24 may advance the trays 16 along the processdirection A. The trays 16 may be placed on the conveyor system 12 in anymanner or automated manner, which itself is not a feature of the presentinvention. That is, the trays 16 may be placed on the conveyor system 12by a human operator or by another conveyor or machine or the like. In apreferred embodiment, the trays 16 are placed on the conveyor system 12by a pick and place machine as is well known in the art.

Preferably, the motor 42 comprises an indexing drive device that iscontrolled by the motion control system 11 and advances the trays 16along the process direction A in predetermined discrete increments. Itis noted that the motion may be continuous and that any known ordeveloped technique may be used to identify the position of a tray 26 ata given point in the process. For example, a laser sensor or the likemay be used to communicate the location of a tray 16 to the motioncontrol system 11. Otherwise, a specifically monitored and controlledbelt drive with information of flight 24 position and tray 16 size canbe sufficient to track tray 16 location. Preferably, the trays 16 areadvanced a predetermined degree while beneath the extrusion device 142and momentarily stopped so that they may simultaneously receive a row ofcookie dough slugs 17. Preferably, the trays 16 are advanced by a largerincrement in between each tray 16. It is noted that the trays 16 may beadvanced by a multiple of the increment between the rows 17. That is,the distance between trays 16 may be such that the trays 16 areseparated by a multiple of the distance separating rows of cookie doughslugs 17. Preferably, the trays 16 are urged toward the belts 20 and 22by the vacuum created within the plenum 136 and transferred to the trays16 by openings 140. As is described below, the process further includesmoving the trays 16 up and down by moving the subframe 48, as describedabove, and further includes moving the cutoff device 146 to formindividual rows of cookie dough slugs 17. Each of these motions ispreferably precisely controlled to avoid collision of the dough 144 orcutoff blade 148 with the trays 16 while effectively depositing thecookie dough slugs 17.

In FIG. 14, a schematic of the processing system 10 showing the motioncontrol system 11 and a schematic illustration of connection to thedrives of the processing system as described above. It is known that themotion control system may be any electrical system for connecting to andcontrolling the relative movements of motors or movement means. That isthe control system may be any control system, such as a microprocessor,CPU, or programmable logic controller based system or any other logicbased control system either known or developed such the functional goalsof the present invention are realized. Preferably, a computer controlsystem is used including an interface by which the timing aspects can beinput and/or changed. It is known that the drives may be servo motors orany such movement means either known or developed, such as air orhydraulic cylinders, electronic switches and actuators, and the like. Asabove, precise controls and sensors are preferably included with eachdrive to provide and react to signals of the computer control system.

In FIGS. 8-13, the timing of a process of placing rows of cookie doughslugs 17 into trays 16 is illustrated schematically. Referring to FIG.8, a completed tray 204 is illustrated in the up position of thesubframe 48 as described above and having four rows of cookie doughslugs 17 deposited therein. The cutoff blade 148 is illustrated ashaving just passed through the continuously extruding streams of cookiedough 144 and thereby creating the individual cookie dough slugs.Further, an empty tray 16 is illustrated as next to be filled.

Referring to FIG. 9, the completed tray 204 is illustrated in a positionbelow that of FIG. 8 and continuing along the process direction A. Thatis, the completed tray 204 and the empty tray 16 are being advancedalong the process direction A while the subframe is lowered away fromthe extrusion device 142. Whereas this is an index to a new tray, theindex distance is larger than for adjacent rows. Also, the extrudeddough 144 is continuously being extruded as shown. It is contemplatedthat the dough may be extruded in discrete amounts. That is, theextrusion may be pulsed such that a slug of dough is formed without theuse of the cutoff blade 148 to interrupt the extruding dough. Further,it is contemplated that the cutoff blade 148 or the like may be used toassist in forming dough slugs under conditions of non-continuousextrusion. Further, the cutoff blade 148 is shown in a position near theend of its stroke along the process direction A but lower than theposition of FIG. 8. That is, the cutoff blade 148 is preferably loweredso that it will not collide with the extruding dough 144 while it isretracted.

Referring to FIG. 10, the completed tray 204 and the empty tray 16 areshown continuing along the process direction A still during the sameindex movement and in the down position of the subframe 48. In thisposition, the cutoff blade 148 is partially retracted, but is maintainedsufficiently below the dough extrusion. That is, the cutoff blade 148 ismoving in a direction opposite that of the process direction A by movingback and down by controllably moving links 160 and 168.

Referring to FIG. 11, the empty tray 16 has been indexed forward to aposition along the process direction A where a first row of cookie doughslugs 17 may be deposited in the new tray 16. Also, the new tray 16 ismoving upward while the dough 144 is continuing to be extruded from theextrusion device 142. In this position, the cutoff blade 148 is movingupward to get in position for a next cut as it has fully cleared theextrusion.

Referring to FIG. 12, the tray 16 is in the same indexed position alongthe process direction A and as is shown in FIG. 11. That is, the indexmotion is complete for this cycle. The cutoff blade 148 is illustratednow fully raised and coming forward at the beginning of the cutoffstroke through the dough extrusions.

Referring to FIG. 13, the tray 16 is shown in the same indexed positionalong the process direction A and as is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Theextruded dough 144 is illustrated in contact with the bottom of tray 16and the cutoff blade 148 is illustrated as having just passed throughthe extruding dough 144 to form a first row of cookie dough slugs 17 inthe new tray 16. The next cycle proceeds in the same manner (except thatthe indexed movement is less so that a next row of slugs 17 aredeposited adjacent to the first row and so on.

In summary, as a tray 16 is approaching the location to place a row ofcookie dough slugs 17 therein, the tray 16 is also being lifted to apredetermined vertical position to form the row of slugs of dough 17 inthe tray 16. The vertical position preferably permits the dough tocontact with the bottom of the tray but not to compress it after beingsevered by the cutoff blade 148. The cutoff blade 148 is also moving inrelation to the extruding dough 144 and the tray 16. As schematicallyillustrated above in FIGS. 8-13, the motion of the cutoff blade 148 ispreferably a circular cycle that is horizontal or slightly ascendingwhen severing the extruding dough 144. Preferably, the cutoff blade 148drops vertically while retracting such that it does not collide with theextruding dough 144.

In FIG. 15 exemplary motion profiles for the motion of the tray 16 andthe cutoff blade are shown with respect to time and velocity. It isnoted that motion above the time axis is in a first direction whilemotion below the time axis is in a second direction, generally oppositethat of the first direction. Line 206 shows the dough extrusion at aconstant velocity. That is, dough is extruded as a continuous stream.Line 208 shows the tray index profile. As is shown in the tray indexprofile 208 of FIG. 15, the tray preferably accelerates at a constantrate then smoothly begins to decelerate at a constant rate and is thenstationary (zero velocity) as the dough is placed in the tray. It isnoted that the direction of the tray index does not reverse and as suchthe profile line 208 is only shown above the time axis. Line 210 showsthe tray lift profile. That is, the up and down movement of the subframe48. Preferably, as shown, the tray 16 accelerates and then immediatelydecelerates to its maximum up position and then similarly returns to thedown position. Line 212 shows the horizontal component of the cutoffblade 148 and line 214 shows the vertical component of the cutoff blade148.

The present invention is not limited to the above described preferredapparatus. More generally, the invention embraces guiding and supportinga large number of cables within an electronics assembly. Furthermore, itshould be understood that, while particular embodiments of the inventionhave been discussed, this invention is not limited thereto asmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly inlight of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the appended claimscontemplate coverage of any such modifications as incorporate theessential features of these improvements within the true spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for depositing an extruded doughproduct onto a discrete object that is transported through theapparatus, the apparatus comprising: a support frame; a conveyoroperatively supported by the support frame for transporting discreteobjects along a conveyor path in a machine direction, the conveyor beingoperatively connected with a first drive; an extruder supported inposition along the conveyor path for extruding a dough product towardthe conveyor, the extruder being operatively connected with a seconddrive; and a subframe movably supported from the support frame andpositioned along the conveyor path, the subframe being movable as drivenby a third drive and including a conveyor engaging portion forselectively deflecting a portion of the conveyor toward the extruder bya first movement of the third drive and for moving the conveyor portionback to a normal transport position; wherein the subframe furthercomprises an object holding means for creating a positive holding forcefor holding an object against the conveyor, the subframe further beingpositioned along the conveyor path so that the object holding means isoperative to hold an object while at least a portion of the object ispositioned for receiving extruded dough product from the extruder. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control means that isoperatively associated with the first drive and the third drive so as tomove the subframe by the third drive to deflect a portion of theconveyor based upon a desired position of a discrete object with respectto the extruder as determined by the first drive.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the first drive comprises an index drive device thatindexes the conveyor in the machine direction by predetermined amountswith rests between subsequent drive actions.
 4. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the subframe comprises a support element rotatably supportinga first roller for engagement with the conveyor, the first rollerpositioned for engaging a portion of the conveyor on an opposite sidethereof than an object supporting side thereof.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the conveyor is an endless conveyor with the rollerpositioned at least partially within a loop of the endless conveyor toengage a first conveyor portion, the subframe further comprising asecond roller rotatably supported from the support element alsopositioned within the loop of the endless conveyor but spaced from thefirst roller to engage the conveyor at a second portion thereof that issubstantially opposed to the first conveyor portion.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the endless conveyor is further supported by at leastone guide roller that defines at least in part the conveyor path in themachine direction, and the guide roller has a diameter that is less thanthe spacing between the first and second rollers of the subframe.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the third drive comprises a substantiallylinear drive mechanism for driving the subframe in a direction fordeflecting a portion of the conveyor toward the extruder and for drivingthe subframe in a substantially opposite direction away from theextruder for moving the conveyor portion back to a normal transportposition.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a pair ofspaced conveyors operatively supported by the support frame fortransporting discrete objects along the conveyor path in the machinedirection, each of the pair of conveyors being operatively connectedwith the first drive.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the objectholding means comprises a one of a pressure differential means, amechanical gripping means, a magnetic means, or a friction enhancementmeans.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the object holding meanscomprises a pressure differential means comprising a vacuum chambersupported by the subframe and creating a plenum positioned adjacent tothe conveyor, the plenum including at least one opening by which vacuumpressure differential can be applied to a surface of a discrete objectwhen positioned on the conveyor with at least a portion thereof belowthe extruder.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a pairof spaced conveyors operatively supported by the support frame fortransporting discrete objects along the conveyor path in the machinedirection, each of the pair of conveyors being operatively connectedwith the first drive, and the plenum being operatively supported by thesubframe between the pair of space conveyors.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, further comprising a plurality of lanes extending in the machinedirection for depositing extruded dough product onto discrete objectstransported through the apparatus at the same time, each lane includinga pair of spaced conveyors that are operatively supported by the supportframe for transporting discrete objects along spaced substantiallyparallel conveyor paths as driven in common by the first drive, whereinthe extruder comprises multiple depositor heads so that at least onedepositor opening is positioned over each conveyor path.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the extruder is a continuous extruder thatcomprises a continuous pump drive as the second drive for providingextruded dough product.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising a cutoff mechanism for slicing the extruded dough productafter a predetermined length of dough product is extruded, the cutoffmechanism including a fourth drive that is operatively associated withthe control means for slicing the dough product to the predeterminedlength.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second drive is alsooperatively associated with the control means for monitoring thecontinuous dough product extrusion process.